Lietuvos pranciškoniškasis jaunimas

Young Lithuanians set sights on Sydney 

Dan McAloon, Catholic Outlook, March 2008.

To come to Australia for WYD08 is to realise a childhood dream for Virginija Mickute. As National President of the Lithuanian Franciscan Youth movement, Virginija is the leader of a 30-strong pilgrim group who will be hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta during WYD08.

"I did dream about Australia as a child," Virginija said. "I never doubted I'd get there one day, but when in Cologne the Pope announced Sydney was the host city for WYD08 I was amazed, 'So I really am going to Australia - and so soon too!'"

The Lithuanian Franciscan Youth (Youfra) pilgrim group comprises members of Franciscan Youth fraternities from the cities of Vilnius, Kretinga, and Klaipeda, as well as two Franciscan friars and older parishioners from Franciscan parishes. "Our youngest pilgrim is 15," Virginija said.

The Franciscan Youth Ministry began in Kretinga in 1995. Youfra was formed in 2006 and the national fraternity now numbers about 100 young people. As followers of the teachings of St Francis of Assisi, Virginija said that today's evangelisation to youth was challenging and counter-cultural, arriving at a turbulent time in Lithuanian society.

"Since Lithuania joined the European Union we've seen the same tendencies as the rest of Europe - an erosion of moral values and a preoccupation with material pursuits," she said.

The Catholic Church, which blossomed after the collapse of communism, was now confronting the generational "spiritual hole" at the heart of many families.

"Where parents grew up under the Soviet system there's a lack of spiritual formation for the children. That's why we focus on working with young people. We're talking to the young personally and helping them to see that they have moral choices in life."

Members of Youfra are regular participants at WYDays, and Virginija credits 1997 in Paris as the moment when she came to "authentic faith". WYD is also an opportunity when Youfra pilgrim groups from all over the world gather together on one day. "That's always a big joyous occasion, meeting the brothers and sisters from different countries."

Virginija said the Lithuanian Franciscans had undertaken many fund-raising activities to get to Sydney, including recording and selling a CD of songs of worship and printing hundreds of "Jesus" T-shirts.

"The most important preparations are in our hearts, preparing them for this big event - the New Pentecost. Together with Pope Benedict XVI, we shall invoke the Holy Spirit, confidently asking God for the gift of a New Pentecost for the Church and for humanity in the third millennium."

Virginija said the pilgrims were grateful for the invitation extended to them by Bishop Manning and for all the behind-the-scenes work being done by diocesan WYD Co-ordinator, Anne Hines, to make their 11-day stay possible.

"We're really looking forward to learning about the life of Australian Catholics and meeting the people of Parramatta and sharing our faith," Virginija said. "Until then, peace and goodwill to you all!"